We all head to the car with Charlie in the passenger seat, angrier than ever. Marcus and Jay are in the back seat and I climb into the driver’s seat. As I start the car, Marcus rambles on about how excited he is to explore the abandoned house.

“Not until I get what I want. And what I want is for you all to find my hidden pearl necklace located in this very mansion. I believe it is in the upper levels of my house,” the voice demands.

The doors open, and we collectively sigh in relief.

“You have one hour. Or else.”

“So we’re going to stick together, right?”

They all nod, and we run to the top most level, looking around the master bedroom.

It has a large bed, wardrobe and window that looks out onto the town. Marcus and Jay look through the wardrobe while Charlie and I look around the room for this so-called pearl necklace.

“Bailey, there’s nothing in this room,” Jay says as he stands up.

“There are a couple more rooms on this floor, then we go to the next floor down. There are only three floors to this mansion,” I reply.

We walk to the next room, a bathroom, where we find nothing but a dusty mirror and toiletries. As we walk into the room after it, my eyes land on the pearl necklace.

The necklace sits on a pedestal in the center of the room and shines brilliantly despite the fading light that comes from the open window.

“Do any of you feel like this is a trap?” I ask cautiously.

“Yes but what choice do we have Bailey? We only have thirty minutes left,” Charlie whispers in response.

I look around as my friends and I step into the room, taking note of the candles that seem to be losing their flames and the sun that seems to be setting all too quickly. I lift my hand and gingerly take hold of the necklace.

Charlie whimpers softly beside me, gripping my hand harder.

“Can we go home now?” he asks so quietly I almost don’t hear him.

“We’re leaving as soon as we bring this back to the armory. Everything’s going to be okay,” I say, looking at him with a smile.

We leave the room and go back down to the armory. A tall, thin man stands in front of the double doors leading into it.

“I see you found my necklace and were able to return it to me safely,” the man says cooly. “It’s refreshing to see four brave, young men like you complete such a task.”

“Thank you for not kicking us out earlier,” I reply, handing the necklace back to him.

“Consider it a Halloween freebie. But if I ever see any of you on my property again, you will all suffer a worse fate far worse than merely fetching a necklace.”

“Of course sir. Thank you again.”

Marcus and Jay then immediately run out of the house.

“Do you want to spend the night at my place? We can watch a couple of movies, give candy to some kids,” I ask Charlie.

“That would be nice. I don’t think I going to be able to sleep tonight,” he replies.

“Then we’ll stay up and talk. Maybe Marcus and Jay can join us and we’ll share some horror stories for the spooky season.”